>Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2000 10:04:09 -0400
>From: Prof Norm Coombs <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Online Workshop Oct. 2 Barrier-free ADA Campus
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>Online workshop starting Oct. 2:
>
>BARRIER-FREE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY:       an online workshop led by Norm
>Coombs and Dick Banks, of The TLT Group's award-winning Project EASI (Equal
>Access to Software and Information). This new four-week workshop will help
>participants harness the power of adaptive computer technology so that
>students with disabilities can compete on a level playing field.
>Participants will leave the workshop with an individualized plan to make
>technology at their institution "barrier-free" and in conformity with the
>intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act and with the new Section 508
>of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act now poised to take effect.
>
>As computers become an integral part of more courses, failing to provide
>adaptive tools will deny a full education to some learners with
>disabilities.  But adaptive technologies also accommodate a variety of
>learning styles, so the benefits of their widespread deployment extend to
>the entire educational community.
>
>Please see below for a complete description of the workshop and for
>registration information.  Discounts for teams and TLT Roundtable Network
>subscribers are available.  Please contact Norm Coombs, co-leader of the
>workshop, at [log in to unmask]
>with any questions or register at http://www.rit.edu/~easi/workshop.htm
>
>WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
>Today's distributed computer environment means that providing support for
>the technology needs of students with disabilities is an institution-wide
>responsibility, requiring extensive planning and cooperation across many
>departments.  It is no longer the sole province of the computer staff, nor
>can it be relegated to the disabled student office. If "it takes a village
>to raise a child," then, it takes the entire campus to support the adaptive
>technology needs of students with disabilities.
>
>BARRIER-FREE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY will help participants master the
>complex technological, legal, pedagogical issues in this area, resulting in
>the creation of a customized barrier-free campus educational technology
>plan.   Current adaptive technologies will be critiqued and their
>appropriate application explored.  Specific and practical strategies such
>as designing barrier-free computer labs, adapting course materials, and
>effective staff training will be provided.
>
>TERM
>BARRIER FREE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY begins on Monday, October 2 and will
>continue for four weeks.
>
>AUDIENCE
>BARRIER-FREE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY is designed for administrators,
>faculty, librarians, computer support staff, ADA compliance officers,
>service providers and disabled student support staff.  It will be of
>special interest to participants and leaders of local TLT Roundtables, and
>others who are charged with developing an institutional technology plan.
>
>REQUIREMENTS
>The workshop will be taught over the Internet using an e-mail listserv to
>connect the workshop leaders and fellow participants.  Workshop material
>will be delivered via the listserv and using multimedia on the web.
>Participants will need a recent browser (either Internet Explorer version
>4.0 or higher, or Netscape 4.5 or higher, with Java features enabled) and
>Internet access.
>The textbook, "Information Access and Adaptive Technology" (Oryx, 1997) by
>Coombs and Cunningham is optional and can be purchased from
www.amazon.com.
>
>CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS
>Three continuing education units from the Rochester Institute of Technology
>are available on request.
>
>EASI is committed to the belief that students and professionals with
>disabilities have the same right to access information as everyone else. To
>achieve this goal, EASI runs on-site and on-line workshops, maintains two
>listserv discussion groups, produces an electronic journal and sponsors a
>substantial web site at http://www.rit.edu/~easi. EASI's work has been
>supported by three dissemination grants from the National Science
>Foundation.
>
>FEES
>$275 per individual registrant
>$250 per person for teams of 2-4
>$225 per person for teams of 5+
>$50 off the per person fees for registrants whose institution is a
>subscriber to the TLT Roundtable Network.
>
>REGISTRATION
>To register, please use our online registration form at:
>http://www.rit.edu/~easi/workshop.htm
>
>WORKSHOP SYLLABUS
>Lesson 1:  Introductions and Definitions
>-- introductions of instructors and participants
>-- overview of the workshop
>-- basic definitions
>Lesson 2: Four Reasons For Barrier-Free Educational Technology
>-- it's the right thing to do
>-- it makes economic sense
>-- it's the law
>-- self-interest
>Lesson 3:  Computer Input Problems And Solutions
>-- explanation of which disability groups have problems
>with keyboard and/or mouse input systems
>-- alternative keyboard systems
>-- alternative mouse systems
>-- voice recognition
>Lesson 4:  Computer Output Problems And Solutions
>-- text-to-speech synthesizers
>-- screen magnification systems
>-- refreshable Braille and Braille embossers
>Lesson 5: Compensatory Strategies
>-- how users with disabilities use computer technology to
>compensate for their disability
>-- how to use the adapted computer as an interface to scientific and math
>equipment
>Lesson 6:  Access To Physical Facilities And Staff Training
>-- designing a computer lab to accommodate users with different disabilities
>-- the importance of both sensitivity and technical training for staff
>Lesson 7:  Access To Educational Information
>-- how to provide lab manuals and materials in alternative
>formats
>-- how to provide class materials in alternative formats
>-- how to prepare institute materials in alternate formats
>Lesson 8:  Planning for an Accessible Campus or Institution
>-- developing an implementation plan for your institution
>
>For questions regarding workshop content, please contact Norm Coombs at
>[log in to unmask]
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